The Tampa Bay Rays invented the bullpen game a few years back. That’s when you rest your starting pitchers and let the relievers handle the entire game.

The Cleveland Guardians pounded on the Chicago White Sox bullpen two nights ago, but the San Francisco bullpen led the Giants to a 4-2 win last night.

One of the advantages of a bullpen game is that hitters rarely get the chance to figure out a pitcher before he is replaced. The Giants were able to throw some variety at the Guardians from within the same family.

Twin brothers Taylor and Tyler Rogers both pitch in the Giants bullpen. Taylor is a left-hander, while Tyler is a submarine-style right-hander.

THE WORST INNING

Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee (7-3) gave up three runs in the first inning. Michael Conforto’s two-run double was the highlight for the Giants.

Conforto scored in the fourth inning on a bunt single by Nick Ahmed to put San Francisco on top 4-0.

Cleveland began its comeback in the bottom of the fourth, as Josh Naylor mashed a 426-foot home run over the hedges in center field.

Andres Gimenez cut the Giants’ lead to 4-2 with a sacrifice fly to score Josh Naylor. But alas, the Guardians couldn’t get any closer against the San Francisco bullpen.

The series will continue today at Progressive Field at 4:10 p.m. Logan Allen (8-4, 5.75 ERA) will start for Cleveland against Kyle Harrison (4-3, 3.96 ERA).